Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 830 Hostility

Chapter 830: Chapter 830 Hostility

The next morning, after the morning court session ended, Sir Xiao sent word that Zhou Shuren’s recuperation had finished, and he would return to the Ministry of Revenue the following day.

Zhou Shuren thought to himself that Sir Xiao’s words must surely reflect the Emperor’s intentions. He could finally return to the Ministry of Revenue. Although it was mentally taxing, it kept him away from unnecessary troubles.

Having just returned to the capital, he had quite a few visitors, but to Zhulan’s surprise, Madam Yu from the Duke Residence came, and she did not come alone.

The woman accompanying Madam Yu entered and began looking around, which displeased Zhulan greatly.

Because of the marriage connection and the fact that Madam Yu was a granddaughter-in-law of the Duke Residence, Zhulan held back her feelings and invited the two of them to have some tea.

Madam Yu glanced at her sister-in-law with disdain in her eyes; she had not made any progress over the years, but she smiled and said, "Lady, this is my elder sister-in-law from my maternal family, Madam Zhao."

Zhulan’s smile was faint, "Hello."

Madam Zhao’s gaze fell on the gemstones adorning Lady Yang, "My Lord too is a third-rank official, Minister of Rites."

Zhulan was somewhat familiar with the officials of the capital. The Minister of Rites was in charge of managing feasts and banquets. "I have heard my Lord speak of the Minister of Rites."

Madam Zhao was still very proud; her husband had been the Minister of Rites for many years. "I heard Wan Rao mention that you are looking for a match for your eldest granddaughter, so I came over."

It took Zhulan a moment to realize that Wan Rao was Madam Yu’s name. "Is that so? I’m actually not in a hurry to find a match for my granddaughter."

Madam Zhao said, "For a young girl, the sooner she is betrothed, the better."

Zhulan didn’t like Madam Zhao’s manner; while speaking with her, her eyes continued to roam, and her smile grew more distant. "Our family’s girls are all treasures; choosing a suitor for the child is a matter for a lifetime. As a grandmother, I must be vigilant. Despite the large number in the Zhou family, none are shady, and we would not connive for the sake of Silver Coin. I wholeheartedly want to find a good family for my granddaughter."

Madam Yu’s face turned red; the implications in Madam Yang’s words were clear.

Zhulan saw greed in Madam Zhao’s eyes but, regardless of the other’s expression, continued, "The good family in my mind has good family virtues, character, and broad-mindedness."

Madam Yu’s face grew even redder, because none of the Yu family’s traits matched; their family’s reputation in the capital wasn’t particularly good, and her sister-in-law often took advantage of her connections to offend others and gain benefits.

Madam Zhao was cunning and not truly foolish; she understood the subtext that the Zhou family looked down on Yu family. It felt like a thorn in her side, and her face became awfully unpleasant, "Some people ought to know their place."

Tch, both being relatives by marriage of Duke Ning, the Yu family had been in the capital for many years, while the Zhou Residence had only just arrived. And they only had Zhou Shuren supporting them, whereas the Yu family had several officials.

Besides, Zhou’s second son was of no rank, and she was generous enough to consider letting her youngest son marry into their family.

Zhulan felt anger rising within her, replying dismissively, "Indeed, some people do need to be self-aware."

Madam Yu also looked displeased, feeling that Madam Yang was insinuating her, with Rongchuan to inherit the Hou Residence in the future and she having nothing.

Zhulan picked up her teacup, "The hour is getting late, and I still have matters to attend to here. Please excuse yourselves."

If Lady Du had come today, Zhulan might have restrained herself a bit, but since it was Madam Yu, the junior, ha, she really wouldn’t have any concerns.

Because of her sister’s connection and her husband being a third-rank official, Madam Zhao had relied on Duke Ning’s family over the years. Everyone gave her some face. Looking at Madam Yang, she fumed inwardly but outwardly said with a darkened face, "I am actually curious to see what kind of family Zhou’s eldest granddaughter will marry into."

Zhulan didn’t even lift her eyelids, "As long as the character is good, that’s enough. Don’t worry."

Zhao Family widened her eyes, is this saying she has a bad character?

Yu Family’s face changed again and again, as she grabbed her sister-in-law, "Let’s go."

Indeed, she had harbored ill intentions, for Rongchuan’s sake, she held a poor opinion of the Zhou family, and more than once, she thought it was all because of the Zhou family that Rongchuan could be found. Now that her sister-in-law was looking for a match for her son, she saw an opportunity.

Her own sister-in-law was not an easy person to deal with, calculating at every turn and not forgiving; she felt life would definitely be interesting if a girl from the Zhou family married into the Yu Residence.

But now, looking at how Madame Yang’s blunt reply revealed her motives, she didn’t want to stay another minute.

After Yu Family and the other left, Zhulan turned to her maid and said, "Put this tea set away."

If it weren’t for the consideration of the Duke Ning Residence, she would have wanted to smash the tea set.

The maid quickly carried the tea set away, and Zhou Shuren entered, "Were you offended?"

Zhulan signaled for all the maids in the room to leave, "Indeed, I was offended, but thanks to the confidence you gave me, I didn’t hold back in my retort."

Zhou Shuren looked at his wife embracing his waist, "Tell me about it."

Zhulan recounted their recent conversation and ended with, "This Madam Yu has great animosity towards our family. She must be well aware of what her own sister-in-law is like, yet she still brought her here, thinking of matching her with Yushuang."

Zhou Shuren squinted his eyes, "She thinks that Rongchuan was in the way, and since we were the ones who saved Rongchuan, she holds a grudge against us too."

Zhulan pursed her lips, "She’s not very capable, but she’s full of schemes. The first time I met Madam Yu, I didn’t like her. She even took advantage of the Duke Residence’s power to snatch the fabric intended for my daughter."

Zhou Shuren lowered his head and whispered, "Our residence is filled with people from the palace. Today’s conversation will certainly reach there, and concerning the Duke Ning Residence, the Empress will take action."

Zhulan laughed. These few years were critical for the Crown Prince, and Rongchuan was the Fifth Prince. Madam Yu thought she concealed her intentions well—how unwise. She viewed the Zhou family as an adversary; the Empress would also protect us a bit for the sake of Rongchuan, not to mention the enmity towards Rongchuan herself.

Inside the palace, the Empress indeed heard the news. Just as Zhulan had anticipated, the Empress saw through Madam Yu’s intentions. Madam Yu resented the Zhou family, which was as good as feeling that Rongchuan shouldn’t have returned.

The more the Empress thought about it, the angrier she got. Rongchuan was her son, whom she had finally managed to recover. She called a Female Officer over, "Go to the Duke Ning Residence and tell Madam Yu to copy scriptures a hundred times on my command."

The Female Officer said, "Yes."

The Female Officer didn’t ask which scriptures to copy. If the Empress commanded scriptures, it meant all scriptures, a hundred times over. The Empress was truly angry.

At the Duke Ning Residence, Madam Yu had only just returned and was telling her husband how the Zhou family, relying on the Emperor’s favor, did not take their second wife seriously. She exaggerated Madame Yang’s words.

Ning Zhixiang felt uneasy, knowing that only a portion of Madam Yu’s words could be trusted. Yet, as a human being, he still felt uncomfortable.

But before Madam Yu could continue, the Female Officer from the palace arrived, bringing with her the Empress’s decree.

Ning Zhixiang understood everything immediately. His aunt had seen through Madam Yu’s intentions; his face flushing red, he thought: wasn’t Madam Yu implicating him too? As husband and wife are one, even though the aunt didn’t point towards him, he carried a great responsibility for not teaching his wife well.

After the Female Officer left, Madam Yu was stunned. She didn’t understand how the Zhou family matter could have been known inside the palace.

The wife of Duke Ning heard the news and came over. Looking at Madam Yu’s expression, she snorted, "So short-sighted. Minister Zhou is a minister valued by the Emperor. There have been people from the Emperor by Minister Zhou’s side since the early years. As soon as you left, your words entered the palace."